I’m willing to wager that this 2026 earbud update will lead you to abandon your AirPods in favor of more affordable options.

      I evaluate earbuds professionally, and throughout 2025, I've been delighted to observe a new trend shaking up the affordable earbud market. I believe it will gain such traction by the end of 2026 that our list of the top wireless earbuds will predominantly feature budget-friendly options. Would you consider swapping your AirPods for a lower-priced alternative?

      This transformation in the earbud market is just one of several headphone forecasts I have for 2026, as the ever-evolving tech landscape is likely to bring significant changes to everything from premium headphones to open earbuds and all that’s in between.

      Having reviewed headphones for many years, here are my expectations for the upcoming year, informed by the gadgets I've tried and the trends I've noticed during my audio product evaluations.

      What are the major releases?

      Simon Cohen / Digital Trends / Digital Trends

      Before diving into the key headphone trends of 2026, let’s briefly recap some of the significant releases that could end up on your year-end wishlist. I wouldn’t hold my breath for an AirPods Pro 4, and the chances of new 5th-gen AirPods aren’t high either, but there are several other anticipated releases.

      The Sony WF-1000XM6 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are expected to be among the premium earbuds of the year, while the Sennheiser Momentum 5 and AirPods Max 2 are the headphones everyone is eager to see. While none of these headphones are guaranteed to launch, they are all highly anticipated and, to varying degrees, likely.

      Additionally, we can expect numerous new releases from smaller brands, along with alternative options to those from well-known companies.

      A significant year for economical earbuds

      Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

      If you appreciate top budget headphones, then 2026 is set to be a year filled with enticing new releases. I’ve previously used dramatic language to emphasize how impactful this shift could be, and I genuinely have high hopes for it.

      In the latter half of 2025, there has been an increasing number of affordable earbuds entering the market equipped with multiple drivers, such as the Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus with two drivers, or the Soundpeats H3 with three. I expect this trend to accelerate in 2026.

      What does this technology imply? In simple terms, a driver acts as a small speaker within an earbud, and most budget options traditionally have just one that must handle the entire audio spectrum like a jack of all trades but a master of none. Multiple drivers allow each one to be tuned to specific audio frequencies, such as bass or treble, resulting in higher quality sound and better tuning whether you're listening to deep bass or soaring guitar solos.

      While dual- or triple-driver earbuds aren't new, it was once uncommon to find affordable versions. However, with the changes in 2025, it's evident manufacturers are discovering ways to include multiple drivers while maintaining lower prices. Thus, 2026 is set to unveil even more options, allowing the budget market to find another way to compete with premium brands.

      In brief, you will soon be able to obtain great-sounding earbuds without spending over $300. A price of merely $100 will suffice.

      Significant headphone changes will occur internally

      Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

      Aside from iterative improvements like better battery life and slightly altered drivers, I don’t anticipate that the over-ear headphones of 2026 will feature dramatically different hardware compared to what we saw in 2025. Any noteworthy updates are likely to emerge in the form of new features.

      One of the prominent additions anticipated is something that has been around for a few years in headphones, set to gain traction in 2026: spatial audio. This advanced system transforms your audio experience into a 3D sound environment centered around you, similar to surround sound technology, but unlike surround sound, which only shifts music left or right, spatial audio can create the perception of sounds coming from above and below.

      While it's effective for music, spatial audio shines brightest when watching films or playing games. As handheld technology continues to rise in popularity for these activities, spatial audio could become a significant selling point for headphones in 2026. Though it still has its ups and downs, ongoing technological advancements suggest that perfect spatial audio may soon be a reality.

      Additionally, we are likely to see more brands challenging Bose's dominance in noise cancellation, as multiple companies push the boundaries of what Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) can achieve. After all, there's only so much sound that can be canceled before there's nothing left to hear, and with Bose nearing that limit, budget brands will likely follow closely behind.

      Throughout 2025, the popularity of audio listening tests increased. These in-app functions evaluate your hearing sensitivity and can create personalized equalization mixes that address any hearing issues. They are fantastic tools that help listeners experience their music in new ways, as well as providing accessibility. While many brands currently offer such features, we might see even more companies introducing their own versions